GAME NOTES | WATCH | LIVE STATS
INDIANAPOLIS – Butler returns to action on Thursday, Dec. 31 with a game at Georgetown on New Year's Eve! The Bulldogs last played 22 days ago at #19 Michigan.
Opening Tip
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Okako Adika ranks 10th in the BIG EAST with a 16.7 scoring average.
- Adika is the second-best free throw shooter in the conference at 92.3% (12-for-13).
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Upe Atosu has recorded at least one steal in every game this season and ranks 12th in the BIG EAST in steals per game (2.0).
- Atosu ran the point at #19 Michigan and dished out five assists with zero turnovers.
- Butler's highest scoring quarter this season came before the half at #19 Michigan when they scored 22 points in the second.
All-Time Series vs. Georgetown
Butler swept Georgetown last year to move ahead of the Hoyas in the all-time series 8-6. The 'Dawgs pulled out a one-point win at McDonough Arena 47-46, and took care of business inside Hinkle Fieldhouse 60-42. BU has now won three-straight games at Georgetown.
Last Meeting vs. Georgetown
The first three minutes of action told the story the last time Butler and Georgetown met on the court. BU opened the game on a 10-0 scoring run and a deep, buzzer-beater from
Upe Atosu would give the 'Dawgs a 21-10 advantage after the first quarter. Taylor Barnes led Georgetown with a game-high 17 points. Butler used a balanced scoring attack featuring three of the five starters in double figures.
Who is That Hoya?
Of the nine Hoyas that played at Hinkle last year, only two appear on the 2020-21 roster. Co-captain Anita Kelava headlines that duo, but the graduate student from Croatia missed the DePaul game on Dec. 19. Kelava will join the team after she receives her visa to return to the United States.
See Ya Soon
Butler will host Georgetown on Wednesday, Jan. 13. That is one of two quick turnarounds on the schedule with Butler hosting Seton Hall on Jan. 11, then traveling to Wash Gym the next week to play in New Jersey on Jan. 17.
Building Chemistry
Butler has used three different starting lineups over the first three games of the season.
Okako Adika,
Nyamer Diew, and
Upe Atosu are the only 'Dawgs to start in every game.
Limited Action
Butler has had five games postponed and two games canceled this season. Three of the five postponed games were against BIG EAST opponents (Seton Hall, UConn, and Creighton).
Sexton's a Shooter
Emilia Sexton tied her career-high with three made 3-pointers in the setback at #19 Michigan. The sharpshooter has made 39 field goals while at BU. 28 of the 39 makes have been from 3-point range.
'Dawg Defense
The Bulldogs are causing turnovers with their defense. All three BU opponents have recorded 15 or more turnovers this season.
Micah Ready to Make her Butler Debut
Grad transfer
Micah Scheetz will make her Butler debut against the Hoyas on New Year's Eve. Last year at ETSU, Scheetz averaged 15.0 points per game, the fourth-highest total in the Southern Conference. She ended the year with Second Team All-Conference accolades and after hitting a double figure scoring total in 22 consecutive games.
Brian is a Bulldog
Former Xavier head coach
Brian Neal will make his Bulldog debut on Thursday. Neal was hired as an interim assistant on Dec. 1, but missed the first three games of the season due to COVID-19 protocols.
Unavailable Players
Butler was short-handed opening weekend with just nine active players.
Jaia Alexander and
Emilia Sexton made their season debuts at Michigan, but the Bulldogs do not expect
Genesis Parker or
Oumou Toure to play at Georgetown.
